Authorities on Tuesday evening announced the arrest of Hassam Kawasmeh – who was taken into custody three weeks ago. The suspect is a resident of a PA (Palestinian Authority) area of Hebron. When the bodies were discovered near Halhul he planned to flee to Jordan with the assistance of his family. He was arrested on July 11, 2014 in a relative’s home in Anata.

During his interrogation by the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet), Kawasmeh explained he was commander of the cell and arranged the kidnapping, supervising the terrorists who actually abducted the boys. The two, Marwan Kawasmeh and Amar Abu-Eisha are still at large. Hassam arranged the kidnapping attack and arranged funding from Hamas in Gaza, telling ISA agents that Marwan Kawasmeh was involved in the kidnapping.

In its response to the Supreme Court in the case, the state explained Hassam funded the mission as well as purchasing weapons required by the terrorists.

ISA agents also learned that after the three were kidnapped, Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Frenkel HY”D, Marwan arrived at Hassman’s home and the youths were buried in a plot of land that Hassam had purchased two months before the attack. He then assisted the two fugitives by hiding them from authorities.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)